Talk:Ravi Shankar/GA1

GA Review

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Greetings! I’ll be reviewing the article Ravi Shankar per your request. I’ll try to keep this review simple – I'll do an initial "flyover" look at the article, looking for serious problems like extensive misspellings and grammar errors, relevant cleanup tags, and other such things listed at the quick fail guidelines for GA review. After that, I’ll read the article in depth, and I will also check references and external links. This will take time – although it usually will take me a day or two to review in depth, please allow up to a week. Until then, I’m here to help – if you have any questions, please post here or on my talk page. - I.M.S. (talk) 21:41, 2 November 2009 (UTC)

After I'm done with evaluating each individual section, I'll move on and express how I feel about the article as a whole.

Guide to my reviewing:

1. I will list each individual issue with the article as a numbered heading, titled Nos. 1 - infinity. You'll see, e.g., Three, usually followed by a quote containing the problematic section or sentence. I will then explain the problem below the quote. If I feel the issu has been resolved, I'll mark it with  Done. If I think an issue remains unresolved after responses / changes by the editor(s), I'll mark it  Not done.
2. If you have any problems with my reviewing technique, or any questions regarding this review in general, feel free to contact me on my talk page. - I.M.S. (talk) 03:24, 3 November 2009 (UTC)

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Progress for reviewing (=Done, =Working on it):

1. General "flyover" read - I.M.S. (talk)
2. First observations - I.M.S. (talk)
3. In-depth reading - I.M.S. (talk)
4. Observations -
5. If all goes well, I'll do the standard check-off list - - - Article passed review.

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Reviewer: I.M.S. (talk) 21:41, 2 November 2009 (UTC)

First, I'll ask the following:

1. Does the article completely lack reliable sources? - No.
2. Is the topic treated in an obviously non-neutral way? - No.
3. Does the article have cleanup banners that are obviously still valid, including {{cleanup}}, {{wikify}}, {{NPOV}}, {{unreferenced}} or large numbers of {{fact}}, {{clarifyme}}, or similar tags? - No.
4. Is the article the subject of ongoing or recent, unresolved edit wars? - No.
5. Does the article specifically concern a rapidly unfolding current event with a definite endpoint? - No.

• Good - everything's done there. I will now commence to read the article in depth - I'll post back here once I have done so, with my first thoughts on problems and improvement. - I.M.S. (talk) 21:54, 2 November 2009 (UTC)

Intro

I'll go ahead and give some of my first thoughts on the intro (remember, many of these things are small and insignificant, some even optional; still, however, please try to address them - I will try to get to them myself if I see the need). Intros generally don't need every sentence that they consist of backed up with a citation, as most of the things briefly described in the intro will later be addressed in depth (and, hopefully, with proper references) later in the article. However, with things like issue number two, a reference would be beneficial.

One:

“ Ravi Shankar (born 7 April 1920), often referred to by the title Pandit, is an Indian classical musician and composer who plays the sitar. ”

Perhaps sitarist is better suited. I believe it is actually a proper term. -  Done

Two:

“ He was described as "the most famous Indian musician on the planet" by Ken Hunt of Allmusic. ”

Citation needed. -  Done

Three:

“ After finishing his studies in 1944, Shankar worked as a composer, creating the music for the Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray, and was music director of All India Radio, Delhi, from 1949 to 1956. ”

Keep in mind that some readers will not know about "Delhi" (here intended as "Delhi, India"). Although very unlikely, some might mistake it for any of these towns. "Delhi, India" would probably not be appropriate either. May I suggest "New Delhi", as this is more clear (and, I believe, is the specific location of the HQ of A.I.R.) and helps the intro flow. A wikilink is called for as well, I believe. -  Done

Four

“ In 1956, he began to tour Europe and America playing Indian classical music and increased its popularity there in the 1960s through teaching, performance, and his association with violinist Yehudi Menuhin and George Harrison of The Beatles. Shankar engaged Western music by writing concerti for sitar and orchestra and toured the world in the 1970s and 1980s. From 1986 to 1992 he served as a nominated member of the upper chamber of the Parliament of India. Shankar was awarded India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 1999, and received three Grammy Awards. He continues to perform in the 2000s, often with his daughter Anoushka. ”

Not much wrong here. A few more citations might be good.

So, to summarize the above: A little bit of cleanup required for the intro to help it flow a bit more evenly, and a few citations as well. Other than that, it looks good. I'll be back later with some more thoughts on the rest of the article. - I.M.S. (talk) 22:23, 2 November 2009 (UTC)

 Done - Great! All the above issues have been resolved. I won't be such a stickler from this point on. - I.M.S. (talk) 23:41, 2 November 2009 (UTC)

Early life - Career#Training and work in India

The following are some ideas for the aforementioned sections. A note: after I am done reviewing each individual section, I'll post results for tools such as Checklinks.

Five

“ Shankar was born 7 April 1920 in Varanasi in a wealthy and conservative Brahmin family of cultured Bengalis. Shankar's Bengali birth name was Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury. His father, Shyam Shankar, an administrator for the Maharaja of Jhalawar, used the Sanskrit spelling of the family name and removed its last part. Shyam was married to Shankar's mother Hemangini Devi, but later worked as a lawyer in London, where he married a second time while Devi raised Shankar in Varanasi, and did not meet his son until he was eight years old. Shankar shortened the Sanskrit version of his first name, Ravindra, to Ravi, for "sun". He was the youngest of seven brothers, of whom four lived when he was born. ”

• For bolded sentence one: How about "in Varanasi to a wealthy and conservative Brahmin family of cultured Bengalis." -  Done

• For bolded sentence number two: This sentence is a little long. No big deal, but it needs to be re-arranged so it flows more evenly and makes more sense. -  Done

Six

“ At the age of ten, after spending his first decade in Varanasi, Shankar went to Paris with the dance group of his [older? younger?] brother, choreographer Uday Shankar, and by the age of 13 he had become a member of the group, accompanied its members on tour and learned to dance and play Indian instruments. ”

• Bolded area 1: Again, a little long. ALT: At the age of ten, after spending his first decade in Varanasi, Shankar traveled to Paris with the dance group of his brother, choreographer Uday Shankar. By the age of 13 he had become a member of the group, accompanying its members on tour and learning to dance and play Indian instruments.

• Bolded area 2: Wasn't he already learning how to play sitar? Perhaps it should be made clear that he learned other instruments as well (with refs).

The rest looks good. More coming in a bit. - I.M.S. (talk) 00:13, 3 November 2009 (UTC)

Seven

“ He composed the music for the Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray, which became internationally known, beginning in the mid-1950s ”

This sentence requires a rewrite.

Note: Checklinks issues

Look here for the results of a Checklinks search for Ravi Shankar. A few link are dead - these will need to be fixed.

International career 1956–1969

Most of this section looks good. I went ahead and fixed a minor issue with repetition of Ali Akbar Khan's name. On another note, I see that many of the above issues remain unresolved. These need to be done (I'll fix them myself if they remain). This article is coming along well - I believe (if some of the issues I have shown are fixed) that it shows promise as a GA. - I.M.S. (talk) 22:41, 4 November 2009 (UTC)

Eight

“ Shankar performed at the Woodstock Festival in August 1969, and found he disliked the venue. In the 1970s he distanced himself from the hippie movement. ”

This sentence should be combined in some way, to help improve flow. The paragraph it is a part of also seems a little choppy.

International career 1970–present

Nine

“ Interest in Indian music had decreased in the early 1970s, but the album from the Concert for Bangladesh became one of the best-selling recordings of Indian music and won Shankar a second Grammy. ”

Shankar did win a Grammy for his performance on the album, but The Concert for Bangladesh is not entirely a record of Indian music. In fact, Shankar's portion of the record is rather small compared to George Harrison's contributions with Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, etc. Perhaps this info should be removed. -  Done

Ten

“ Shankar toured and taught the remainder of the 1970s and the 1980s and released his second concerto, Raga Mala, conducted by Zubin Mehta, in 1981. ”

This needs to be rephrased. I know what it is implying, that Shankar toured and taught for the remainder of the '70s and '80s, but it comes out like he actually taught the decades themselves! I think an insertion of a for would be beneficial. -  Done

Eleven

“ Shankar got nominated ”

Shankar was nominated is more appropriate, I think. -  Done

Style, contributions, and recognition

This section looks fine. A few more references and third part interpretations of Shankar's style would improve it vastly, however. Also, some coordination in the "genre" section would benefit it. It sounds rather repetitive with "genre" "genre" "genre". Perhaps replacing with "style" every once and a while make it an easier read.

May I suggest splitting the "Style, contributions, etc" section into two, one strictly sbout his style and work, and the other for his recognition and awards.

Personal life

Perhaps a little expansion on "personal life". Also, a little bit on what Norah Jones went on to do, and how she is a successful musician now.

 Done - I went ahead and completed this task. - I.M.S. (talk) 01:49, 5 November 2009 (UTC)

Images and Extra Media

I am taking a look at the media on the page right now. I'll look for proper tags on copyrighted images, and make sure everything complies with various policies on free images and such. - I.M.S. (talk) 01:21, 5 November 2009 (UTC)

 Done - Files look good. All are properly licensed. - I.M.S. (talk) 01:49, 5 November 2009 (UTC)

Checklist

Please note that the article has not been passed of failed yet, and the review is not yet complete. When it is done, I will add the appropriate symbol to the bottom of the list.

1. Is it reasonably well written?

   A. Prose quality:

   Some parts of it are not excellent, but overall, it is still a very good read. I believe most of the issues raised during this review have been solved, including those with the prose.

   B. MoS compliance:

2. Is it factually accurate and verifiable?

   A. References to sources:

   B. Citation of reliable sources where necessary:

   C. No original research:

3. Is it broad in its coverage?

   A. Major aspects:

   B. Focused:

4. Is it neutral?

   Fair representation without bias:

5. Is it stable?

   No edit wars, etc:

6. Does it contain images to illustrate the topic?

   A. Images are copyright tagged, and non-free images have fair use rationales:

   I must say, I am very pleased at the abundance of free media on the page - it is very informative, especially the video of the raga performance. Perhaps, in the future, a sample of some of his recorded work should be added. Just a suggestion.

   B. Images are provided where possible and appropriate, with suitable captions:

7. Overall:

   Pass or Fail:

   This article is ready for GA. Hekerui has done a very good job writing and expanding this article. It was a pleasure reviewing it! Regards, - I.M.S. (talk) 19:37, 5 November 2009 (UTC)